Explore scales · Ukulele
C♯ bebop dominant scale on ukulele
C♯ bebop dominant contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, A♯♯, and B♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 3, fret 1 for a compact dominant shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the C♯ bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
C♯ bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the C string at fret 1 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the C string at fret 5 up to E♯ on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 8 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ bebop dominant adds A♯♯ to C♯ major, creating a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The scale contains a tritone between E♯ and A♯♯, and the leading tone B♯ resolves to C♯. The added A♯♯ smooths descending lines over C♯7 chords.
When to use it
C♯ bebop dominant fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords, especially in jazz and swing. Use it over C♯7 in F♯ major progressions. The A♯♯ passing tone works in blues and bebop lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 1 and covers frets 1–4, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ bebop dominant?
C♯ bebop dominant contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, A♯♯, and B♯. The A♯♯ is the added passing tone between the major 6th and major 7th. This eight-note scale is used over dominant chords. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ bebop dominant fit?
C♯ bebop dominant fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over C♯7 in dominant contexts. The added A♯♯ creates smooth chromatic movement.
How does C♯ bebop dominant differ from C♯ major?
C♯ bebop dominant adds A♯♯ to C♯ major. This creates a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The extra note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.